A One Mann’s Movies review of “EXmas” (2023).
Catching up on the reviews of the Christmas streamers, reviewed in last week’s Flickering Dreams podcast, “EXmas” is a “Freevee Original” (red flag), available on the Prime Video service.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Graham (Robbie Amell) and Ali (Leighton Meester) had an acrimonious break-up after a long-term relationship but Ali has retained a close relationship with his parents Dennis (Michael Hitchcock) and Jeannie (Kathryn Greenwood). When Graham has to work over Christmas, Ali is invited to spend Christmas with the family. But when Graham’s plans suddenly change, he turns up unannounced on Christmas Eve and faces an unpleasant surprise.
Certification:
UK/US: 13+. (Prime Video rating. Not rated on the BBFC site.)
Talent:
Starring: Robbie Amell, Leighton Meester, Michael Hitchcock, Kathryn Greenwood, Veronika Slowikowska.
Directed by: Jonah Feingold.
Written by: Dan Steele.
Twitter Handle: #EXmas.
Running Time: 1h 33m.
Graham (Robbie Amell) trying to spread some Christmas cheer to sister Mindy (Veronika Slowikowska) (Source: Freevee).
“EXmas” Review:
Positives:
- I actually thought Leighton Meester as Ali gave a really interesting performance in this. She was constantly giving off Rose Byrne vibes for me (which is a compliment). I’d like to see her in another comedy with much better material.
- Grasping at straws to say something positive here, but a medical event near the end of the film at least injects a bit of a focus around ‘coming together’ and the film ends on a slightly more positive note than the first two reels.
Negatives:
- Given this is supposed to be a Christmas film, it’s all incredibly spiteful stuff. Ali and Graham are each trying to embarrass the other in front of the family to force them out of the house. It reminded me of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in “War of the Roses”. Now THAT was a good black comedy! But it was not designed as a Christmas film intended to make you feel warm inside!!
- There’s such a predictability to the “I hate your guts” ==> “Now fuck me” storyline that I actually groaned when the film (predictably) went there. This feels like a script written by an AI that has had the whole history of Hallmark movies trained into it.
Leighton Meester as Ali. The best thing in the film. (Source: Freevee).
Summary Thoughts on “EXmas”
Utterly forgetable festive offering that is worth avoiding at all costs.
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Trailer for “EXmas”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8CpshkpCI8 .
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